Modification of the Maxilla Axial Cut for Tomographic Evaluation of Midpalatal Suture Maturation.

Tadano Miguita, Luiz Fernando; Claudia de Castro Ferreira Conti, Ana; Almeida-Pedrin, Renata Rodrigues; Pinto Guedes, Fábio; Luiz Tonello, Diego; Hernandes Volpato, Graziela; Capelozza-Filho, Leopoldino

This study aimed at modifying the method for obtaining an axial cut of the maxilla, considering the palatine anatomy, for evaluation of the maturation stage of the midpalatal suture (MPS) and to compare this modified method with the original one.The sample consisted of 84 conebeam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 40 boys and 44 girls, aged 11 to 15 years. The files were exported to the Nemotec Dental Studio program, which was used to obtain axial cuts of the maxilla so as to follow the palatine anatomy, keeping the buccal and nasal cortical bones centralized and equidistant. Two previously calibrated evaluators classified the axial images of the MPS into 5 maturational stages (A, B, C, D, and E) according to suture morphology. Kappa test was used to test intra and inter-examiner agreement and the sign test was used to compare the results of this study with those from the original method. Statistical significance level was set at 0.05%. The kappa values for intra and inter-examiner agreement were 0.88 and 0.69, respectively. The modified method was able to evaluate the MPS maturation status and could demonstrate stages of maturation in more detail than the original method. Classification of the MPS maturation with the curved suture axial cut of this method is similar to the original method, with the advantage of allowing evaluation of maturation in the midline of the palate, even when the palate was curved and/or thick.

CALIBRATION; COMPUTED tomography; MAXILLA; NASAL bone; CORRECTIVE orthodontics; PALATE; SUTURES; DESCRIPTIVE statistics

Journal of Health Sciences (2447-8938), 2020, Vol 22, Issue 2, p107

2447-8938

Academic Journal

10.17921/2447-8938.2020v22n2p107-112